Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

It is the mission of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum to preserve and maintain the condition and character of the estate in accordance with professional standards; to foster education and the public enjoyment of its arboretum, grounds and buildings; to further the understanding of its cultural and historic heritage and to maintain a balance between site use and preservation

Description:
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum is a beautifully landscaped historic property situated on Bristol Harbor with sweeping views overlooking Narragansett Bay. A forty-five room mansion, trees, lawns, flowers, and the sea combine to produce an aesthetic experience that is exciting and refreshing.

The magnificant gardens and grounds, located on 33 lush acres, can be enjoyed by visitors year round. The lovely English Country Manor style mansion is open for public enjoyment through self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. mid-April through mid-October and for extended hours during the Christmas Holiday season.

History:
Blithewold was established in the 1890's by Augustus and Bessie VanWickle as their summer retreat. Augustus VanWickle was from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where his family was in the coal-mining business. He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and came to love the Ocean State. In 1895 he impulsively purchased a 72' steam yacht from the Herreshoff boat-building company in Bristol, and immediately began the search for a suitable property to build a summer home for his family. Bessie VanWickle was a very accomplished horticulturist, and her heart's desire was to have enough good land to establish gardens and an arboretum. Their daughter, Marjorie, born in 1883, was to inherit her mother's considerable talent for horticulture, and Bessie and Marjorie would spend the rest of their lives developing this beautiful property.

The original Blithewold, a large shingled Queen Ann style mansion, was ready by the summer of 1896. The young family was delighted with their new estate, but sadly, in 1898 Augustus was killed in a skeet-shooting accident. Five months later Bessie gave birth to their second daughter, Augustine. In 1901 Bessie married William McKee, a successful Boston businessman and an old friend of Augustus. The McKees would reside at Blithewold from May until November, often returning for holidays at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and family occasions. In 1906 tragedy struck again when fire completely destroyed their beautiful home. The following year a second, grander mansion was built on the same site. The house we know today is built of stone, in an English Country Manor style, and most of the furniture dates back to the original house.

Blithewold is now managed by Blithewold, Inc.", a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping the property open to the public, in accordance with Marjorie Lyon's wishes.

Contact person: Donna Grabert, Volunteer Coordinator, (401) 253-2707 , Ext. 18, (email)

Office fax number: 401-253-0412

Address:

101 Ferry Rd. (Rt.114) Bristol, RI 02809 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.blithewold.org

Directions:

Follow Route 114 to south side of Bristol.   Nearest Bus Stop: RIPTA, 2 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	Yes
What type of VCRI membership did this agency have in 2008?
	Full Year

Last updated on October 8, 2009